FORMER EL PASO DEPUTY CHIEF ROBERT ALMONTE UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMED BY U.S. SENATE TO SERVE AS U.S. MARSHAL

Almonte to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) announced today that the U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed the nomination of former El Paso Deputy Police Chief Robert Almonte to serve as the next U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas. Congressman Reyes recommended Chief Almonte for the position. Almonte was nominated by President Obama on March 25th.

“I congratulate former Deputy Chief Robert Almonte on his unanimous confirmation by the Senate to serve as the next U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas,” Congressman Reyes said. “Chief Almonte brings nearly three decades of distinguished service in law enforcement to this critical post, and I am proud to have recommended him to the President. With Chief Almonte’s experience in the El Paso Police Department and his service as Executive Director of the Texas Narcotic Officers Association, I am confident he will serve our community and our nation well.”

“I thank Congressman Reyes for having the confidence in me for this position and recommending me to the President,” Robert Almonte said. “I’m excited about this opportunity, and I look forward to serving the President and the community.”

The United States Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the nation, and Marshals help ensure the effective operation of the federal judicial system. Marshals are responsible for the protection of federal judges, their staff, and every individual who enters a federal court facility. Marshals also oversee the managing and selling of seized assets, transporting federal prisoners, protecting witnesses, and serving court documents.

The United States Marshals Office in Texas was established on December 29, 1845. The Western District of Texas was formed on February 21, 1857, when Congress divided the Texas District into four Districts: the Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern District.

The Western District of Texas covers an area over 91,000 square miles and includes courthouses in El Paso, Austin, San Antonio, Del Rio, Midland, Pecos and Waco. The Western District includes much of the US-Mexico border, so having a strong and varied background in law enforcement and a deep familiarity with the border are critical. Almonte will oversee U.S. Marshal operations throughout the entire Western District.